In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Beth McCuskey, Purdue’s vice provost for student life.  

Beth is a national thought leader on student mental health and has worked in higher education for over 30 years. She co-authored the upcoming book titled “The Oxford Handbook of Well-Being in Higher Education,” which explores why wellness is critical in higher education. During her time at Purdue, she’s prioritized advocating for Boilermakers’ well-being journeys with key university investment and participation from faculty and staff.  

In this episode, you will: 

• Learn more about the state of well-being for younger generations and why it’s important to meet students where they are to help them flourish inside and outside of the classroom.  
• Discover how adults — like parents, coaches and mentors — can normalize failure and nurture well-being for Gen Z and Gen Alpha students and why that can help build vital life skills, like resilience, and prepare students to be successful in college.  
• Hear more about how well-being and mental health have evolved from millennials to Gen Z to Gen Alpha and how technology, like smartphones and now AI, is playing a vital role in shaping student needs.  
• Find out more about learning loss during the pandemic and Purdue Student Life’s innovative Steps to Leaps framework, which increased access to campus mental health resources and institutionalized well-being and was recognized by Forbes in 2025.  

You don’t want to miss this episode with a campus leader who's transforming student mental health and well-being advocacy at Purdue and beyond.  

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In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Mike Bobinski, executive vice president and director of intercollegiate athletics at Purdue University. 

Mike has been at Purdue for the last 10 years and has worked in college athletics for more than 40 years, with previous stops at Georgia Tech, Xavier University, the University of Akron and the U.S. Naval Academy. So it’s no surprise that during his tenure, he’s seen massive changes within the NCAA. He also has extensive knowledge of how Purdue is adapting in this modern era of name, image and likeness — or NIL — and licensing. And he dives into all things Purdue Athletics, including recent wins, future growth, innovation and so much more! 

In this episode, you will:  

• Learn more about Purdue’s journey with NIL, the House v. NCAA settlement from 2025, and what development programs and recruitment strategies the athletics department is utilizing to recruit and cultivate well-rounded student-athletes and become nationally competitive  

• Discover more about Purdue’s Student-Athlete Development program and how it’s setting up Boilermakers to navigate the branding and financial considerations of NIL and grow personally and professionally 

• Hear about Purdue’s recent sports successes, including men’s basketball, men’s and women’s golf, softball, volleyball, and diving, as well as how various coaches’ leadership styles exemplify the university’s ethos  

• Gain knowledge about how Purdue uses cutting-edge health and wellness technology and AI to help its student-athletes perform more efficiently  

• Learn why passionate Boilermaker fans inspire and motivate Mike in his role every day 

Boilermaker fans — this episode is for you! Get a special sneak peek into all the exciting things going on with Purdue Athletics from the foremost leader and expert.  

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In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Kasie Roberson, clinical associate professor in the Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management Department in Purdue University’s Mitch Daniels School of Business and head of the Leadership Coaching Institute in the Center for Working Well.  

As a nationally recognized educator and communication and AI expert, Kasie guides undergraduate and graduate students and professionals in topics like critical thinking, emotional intelligence and best practices for using AI as an effective communication tool.  

In this episode, you will: 

•  Learn more about Kasie’s people-first approach to effective communication and using AI as a tool, including five skills that will set you up for success in the real world  
• Gain insights into recent data on the realities of Gen Z’s use of and relationship with generative AI and how it’s informed Kasie’s research and teaching  
• Hear about Kasie’s exciting and inspiring fireside chat at the inaugural Sunniefest in Dallas and her three-tiered approach for Gen Z and Gen Alpha to navigate AI while maintaining their authenticity and voice  
• Discover how adults, including parents and educators, can positively shape younger generations’ experiences with AI, from playing with fun brainstorming prompts to navigating important ethical issues   
• Find out about Kasie’s innovative work at the Center for Working Well and the Leadership Coaching Institute as well as upcoming programs for students and professionals seeking to improve their communication skills, based on Purdue principles like grit, persistence and resilience  

You don’t want to miss this insightful episode with a Boilermaker and communication expert who’s helping students and professionals become more effective, empathetic communicators and AI users. 

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In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Anthony Cawdron, Westwood event coordinator and estate manager, and adjunct hospitality and tourism management faculty member.  

Westwood has been home to four Purdue University presidents and their families since it was donated to the university in 1971, and for the last 25 years, Anthony has been instrumental in the operations of what he calls the “front door to Purdue University.” He’s also an expert in all things etiquette.  

This incredible conversation first aired last November, and since it’s one of our most popular episodes, we wanted to share it again as the holiday season approaches. Get ready to entertain your guests, crush that big job interview or impress at your next networking event after listening to this one! 

In this episode, you will: 

• Discover his path from working in several castles in Europe to his time in America and following former President Martin Jischke from Iowa State to Purdue  
• Explore behind-the-scenes stories of Westwood from its interesting history to what it takes to host events for guests ranging from Boilermaker students and faculty to U.S. secretaries of state  
• Gain insight into what Anthony teaches his students about networking, job interviews and standing out at professional events through his business etiquette course in Purdue’s White Lodging-J.W. Marriott, Jr. School of Hospitality and Tourism Management 
• Learn more of Anthony’s expert etiquette tips for both hosting and attending holiday parties 

You don’t want to miss this episode, which is jam-packed with expert etiquette tips and historical details about Westwood — one of the landmarks of the Purdue community. 

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In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to P.J. Thompson, assistant coach for Purdue men’s basketball. 

During his time at Purdue, P.J. (BS organizational leadership ’18), was a three-year starter on the team and helped the Boilermakers win the 2017 Big Ten Championship. Since then, he has been part of the coaching staff — helping lead the team to Purdue’s first No. 1 ranking and the 2024 NCAA Division I men’s basketball national championship game. 

In this episode you will: 

• Hear P.J.’s lessons in leadership from his first five years coaching at Purdue, especially what he has learned from head coach Matt Painter and the legendary former head coach Gene Keady 
• Learn about the unique culture of education, loyalty and family that brought the team to play in a national championship game — and helps recruit and retain some of the best players in the country 
• Discover P.J.’s focus as offensive coordinator when coaching Purdue-turned-NBA players like Zach Edey and Jaden Ivey, and current stars Braden Smith and Trey Kaufman-Renn 
• Find out what qualities Purdue looks for when it comes to recruiting young talent 
• Hear how Purdue navigates name, image, likeness in today’s modern college basketball landscape 
• Get excited for the 2025-26 men’s basketball season as P.J. shares what he is looking forward to most this season and beyond 
• Learn what P.J. wants people to know about Coach Painter and this legendary era of Purdue men’s basketball 

Don’t miss this episode celebrating the successes of Purdue basketball on and off the court! 

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In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Allie Gabriel, the Thomas J. Howatt Chair in Management in Purdue University’s Mitch Daniels School of Business and faculty director of the Center for Working Well.  

As an award-winning advocate for workplace mental health and well-being, Allie studies how employees can thrive at work, both in person and virtually. She also leads the Center for Working Well, in the Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management department, which is at the forefront of researching various challenges facing modern workforces.   

In this episode, you will:  

• Learn more about Allie’s timely research on employee wellness, burnout, and stress and recovery 
• Gain life-changing tips on how to recover from burnout, debunk the myths of “work-life balance,” and reframe how success in work and life looks for you  
• Find out what Zoom fatigue is and how identifying it can help organizations and businesses adopt a more intentional, human approach to improve their workplaces 
• Hear more about how Allie came to Purdue, how she became a new mother during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and how her experience with postpartum depression has shaped her research and advocacy today  
• Learn how the Center for Working Well is disseminating Purdue’s groundbreaking, interdisciplinary wellness research  

You don’t want to miss this eye-opening interview with a Purdue professor and researcher who’s shining a light on what it means to work well.  

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In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Dimitri Peroulis, senior vice president for partnerships and online at Purdue and the Reilly Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering.  

As an executive leader, he guides the university’s online programs and the offices of Industry Partnerships, Global Partnerships and Engagement. He's also an expert on Purdue’s innovative degrees and courses for workforce development and advancement that prepare students to stay “future-ready.” And he brings a wealth of technical knowledge and teaching experience to the ever-evolving higher ed landscape. 

In this episode, you will:  

• Hear about Purdue’s strategic relationships with corporate partners like Eli Lilly and Company and Wabash and how they’re enhancing student workforce preparation through research, internships and alumni mentorship.
• Discover what it means to be “future-ready” and what experiences students need to be flexible, resilient problem-solvers as they enter a changing workforce.
• Learn more about Purdue University Online’s new and expanded degree programs and microcredentials that didn’t exist 10 years ago, including the first and only ABET-accredited AI certifications and microelectronics and semiconductors certifications.  
• Explore how these unique virtual programs and certificates are helping thousands of students balance their lives as full-time professionals and thrive in the classroom and industry experiences.  
• Find out more about Dimitri’s journey growing up and studying in Greece to later winning Purdue’s Charles B. Murphy Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award.  

You don’t want to miss this episode with an award-winning educator and thought leader who’s helping empower Purdue students with the skills they need to solve today’s toughest challenges. 

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In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Sutton Tyson, producer for CBS News.  

As a proud Purdue College of Liberal Arts alumna, Sutton is a rising talent in the broadcast journalism field. She’s currently the booking producer for “The Takeout With Major Garrett” and previously served as spokeswoman in the FBI National Press Office, covering national security, criminal activity and counterintelligence issues. And through these roles, she’s gained expert insights into a rapidly evolving media industry. 

In this episode, you will: 

• Learn how traditional news networks are tailoring their content strategies to meet various demographics, like Gen Z, where they are leveraging streaming, podcasts and social media 
• Find out more about Sutton’s journey from Purdue to working for the FBI National Press Office in Washington, D.C., where she learned how to work under pressure and communicate effectively during crisis events 
• Hear what it’s like to be a producer for a major network like CBS News — including engaging with high-profile guests and covering breaking news in a 24-hour cycle, like the U.S. Army Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter collision over the Potomac River 
• Explore Sutton’s advice for prioritizing mental health, well-being and work-life balance, especially when working in the news industry 
• Discover the foundational skills she learned while studying communication at Purdue, like cultivating meaningful relationships to set herself up for career success 

Don’t miss this engaging, informative episode with a Boilermaker who’s helping shape the vital news and content we consume on air and online! 

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In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Matt Butler, the senior associate commissioner and chief academic officer for the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, and Brent Yeagy, president and CEO of Wabash National Corp. 

Matt is a Purdue College of Liberal Arts alum and a higher education and workforce expert, previously serving as a senior policy advisor for former Gov. Eric Holcomb. Now he works to ensure that Indiana’s postsecondary offerings are meeting current and future workforces where they are. Brent has spearheaded strategic direction and operations for Wabash since 2018. As a campus partner and Purdue College of Engineering alum, he’s seen firsthand how Boilermakers are driving innovation and excellence at scale.  

And today – in an intriguing roundtable discussion – they’re diving into a hot-button issue: Is college still worth it?  

In this episode, you will: 

•  Hear why a college degree remains crucial, now more than ever, empowering students to grow and plan for their futures. 
• Discover why a Purdue degree is an invaluable investment from both industry and government perspectives.
• Learn how Purdue’s continued frozen tuition benefits bottom lines for Indiana students and families, addresses student debt, and sets a national standard. 
• Understand what traits and experiences top employers are seeking from new graduates and why Purdue’s role as a premier land-grant research institution is key to providing students with well-rounded opportunities. 
• Gain insights into Purdue and Wabash’s strategic relationship and how it’s delivering top-tier sustainability research and innovation in the transportation industry.  
• Find out how the university’s evolving offerings and the state’s higher ed initiatives overall are enhancing the ROI for students and families.  

You don’t want to miss this timely episode with Boilermakers who are making great strides in Indiana higher ed and industry innovation to provide a wealth of academic and professional opportunities for current and future college students! 

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In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Barry Odom, Purdue University’s head football coach.  

Last year, Coach Odom led the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, to its winningest season in over 40 years, and he’s bringing that same grit to Purdue. He joins the official university podcast to reflect on his first seven months in West Lafayette, the mindset behind “Hard. Smart. Tough,” and why he believes this period of Purdue football isn’t a rebuild — it’s a reset of the standard. 

In this episode, you will:

• Learn how Purdue’s values attracted him to the university and how his early experiences shaped his leadership philosophy 
• Discover his mentality and the lessons he shares with the team, including that football is more than what happens on Saturday afternoons — it’s about representing something bigger than yourself 
• Hear how he’s approaching name, image and likeness (NIL) matters with structure and financial education in a time of ongoing change in college sports 
• Find out how family and community are shaping his Purdue journey, from coaching his own son to leaning on his wife’s support to awarding a scholarship to Ethan Trent, the younger brother of the late Tyler Trent
• Learn how he envisions Ross-Ade Stadium becoming one of the toughest places to play in the country and why he believes Purdue football is positioned for sustained success 

“Hard. Smart. Tough” only scratches the surface on what there is to know about Coach Odom. Don’t miss hearing from the new pillar of the Purdue football community.  

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In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Jeanne Boyd, executive director of sport management and senior advisor to the provost. 

Jeanne is a leader in the sports industry. As the former managing director of the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament, she leverages her unique experience and insights to pioneer Purdue University’s exciting new master’s program in sport management.  

In this episode you will: 

• Learn more about the role this industry expert plays in an exciting new interdisciplinary master’s program in sport management, which has offerings in both West Lafayette and Indianapolis 
• Hear what Jeanne has to say about the wide variety of careers available to graduates of this program like sports marketing, venue management, AI and technology in sport — not to mention all the hands-on learning opportunities with Purdue Athletics, Indiana Sports Corp and others 
• Find out the range of disciplines, from communications to technology to education, that students can specialize in 
• Discover what makes Indianapolis such a unique ecosystem and the perfect host for large sporting events — and why that’s great for students 
• Go behind the scenes of the NCAA tournament and March Madness as Jeanne discusses her previous role and everything it takes to put on one of the largest collegiate sporting events of the year 

Don’t miss this episode that dives into our new sport management program and what it takes to succeed in the sports industry.  

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